LIFTS, STAIRS & BALUSTRADES
ELEVATING DESIGN: THE EVOLUTION OF STAIRCASES IN ARCHITECTURE
In the world of architecture and interior design, few elements occupy such a unique intersection of utility and artistry as the staircase.
Despite their differences, both styles embraced staircases as sculptural, crafted elements within the language of architecture.
Over the past 30 years, staircase specialist Bisca has not only witnessed, but actively shaped the transformation of the staircase- from a purely functional feature- to a sculptural anchor which enhances spatial experience and architectural flow.
Since 1995, Bisca has been at the forefront of this evolution, collaborating with leading architects and designers to craft bespoke staircases which unite engineering, materiality, and expert craftmanship. What has been perceived simply as a means for moving people between floors, the staircase today has much greater scope; offering the potential to shape the design narrative, while playing an active and intentional role in how the surrounding space looks, feels and is experienced.
“ The staircase is no longer an afterthought,” says Richard McLane, Founder and Design Director at Bisca.“ It’ s a centrepiece- an architectural gesture that reflects both the client’ s identity and the spatial intent of the home.”
1990S: ARTISTRY MEETS EXPERIMENTATION
When Bisca was established in the mid-1990s, staircase design was deeply expressive and often experimental. The era was defined by two dominant styles: highly decorative, freeform designs inspired by Art Nouveau or Gaudí, and minimalist industrial forms featuring exposed steel and bold geometric structure( left).
Bisca’ s early projects reflected this ethos; including an Art Nouveau-inspired staircase in Newcastle, featuring sweeping curves and hand-forged iron balustrades which played an important role sculpturally, and also structurally. Meanwhile, a seamless Corian helical staircase( above) designed and crafted by Bisca in New York, broke new ground in material application- illustrating how bold design could also be beautifully functional.
“ Those early years were about testing boundaries,” says McLane.“ We worked with clients who wanted something unique, expressive, and unrepeatable- and so our focus was to translate their vision into sculptural form and material detail.”
The period was marked by a willingness to experiment- with metal, timber, glass, and emerging composites. Every commission offered a chance to blend artistry with precision, defining the handcrafted, highly tailored approach that, to this day, underpins the foundations of a Bisca staircase concept.
As the design world shifted into the new millennium, so too did client sensibilities. Minimalism became a defining theme, driven by open-plan living and a desire for cleaner architectural lines. In response, Bisca developed a new generation of staircases- visually light, materially restrained, and architecturally seamless.
Floating treads, cantilevered forms, and frameless glass became hallmarks of Bisca’ s design approach during this period. Bespoke commissions allowed the team to create staircases that felt fully integrated into their environment.
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